Approval of 2000 by PGC Members Caused Dismay among Opposition Members [Archives:1999/48/Front Page]

SANA’A: After the majority of the parliament approved the 2000 budget plan presented by the government, opposition party members expressed their dismay and anger at the budget, which states that the revenues would mostly be gained from oil. However, the opposition members had previously expressed their concern over the total dependence on oil, and asked the government to search and create other resources. They released a statement just before the budget was approved by the parliament. 
Here are some excerpts from the statement: “Under the difficult economic circumstances in the country which require joining forces of the government and opposition for the general interest and combating the budget deficit, controlling revenues, cutting spending, developing non-oil local resources…….and with the aim of rectifying the state financial and monetary policy, improving the citizens’ living and social condition and boosting the purchasing power of the Yemeni riyal, we are proposing some solutions with the hope of taking them into consideration.” 
The statement has pointed out the extent of flagrant violation by which the government is running the affairs of the country. In one of its paragraphs the statement made it clear that the proposed budget of the government, “does not reflect the goals pointed at in the government statement submitted to the parliament, as there is no mention of development of local revenues neither of the best use of the available revenues. There also no mention of reducing and rationing public expenditure.” 
Under criticism of tax procedure, the statement pointed out that “the budget submitted by the government, and in comparison with the years 1998 and 1999, until 2000, reflects a clear negligence, tampering with the public funds and apparent lack of a mechanism for levying these taxes.” 
The statement added, “we definitely believe that 70% of taxes go to unknown destinations and our proposed alternative is the setting up of a new mechanism and appointment of specialized and technical administrative staff who are away from favoritism and party affiliation.” 
Despite the fact that the statement did not effect the final result in approving the budget, it shows that there may be negative consequences for the country in case it is approved. Only time will tell whether the approval will be in the country’s favor or not. 

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